TIPPECANOE COUNTY, INDIANA — 23-year-old Savannah Mason of Lafayette, Indiana died in the crash involving the Boilermaker Special last Thursday, the Tippecanoe County Coroner confirmed Monday.
According to a news release, dispatch received multiple calls at 3:58 p.m. Thursday reporting a crash on U.S. 52 at Wyandotte Road in Southeastern Tippecanoe County.
The Boilermaker Special, the official mascot of Purdue University, was driving north when it crossed the median and collided with a car traveling south, killing the driver of the passenger car.
Investigators believe the Boilermaker Special experienced a possible tire malfunction, causing the vehicle to leave the left side of the roadway and cross the median area.
Two people on the Boilermaker Special were Purdue University students and were treated and released from the hospital.
The crash remains under investigation by the Tippecanoe County Sheriff's Office. As part of the investigation, toxicology exams will be conducted for both drivers.
The Tippecanoe County Coroner performed a forensic autopsy is on Monday.
The coroner has determined Mason's preliminary cause of death to be multiple blunt force injuries due to a motor vehicle accident.
WRTV reached out to Purdue University about the crash on Thursday, who shared this statement:
"We can confirm our Boilermaker Special was involved in a serious multi-vehicle accident in Tippecanoe County this afternoon. Our thoughts are with all those impacted by the incident."
